National Republican., 1887-02-01
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
The House Library Committee Favor
the Exposition.

inc house Library Committee Favor
the Exposition.
Another boost was given to the celebra-
tion in 1892 OF the 400th anniversary Of tho
discovery Of this great and glorious country
yesterday and 1t seems pretty well assured
that this important event will come of in
this city on time and with all the grandeur
such an occasion warrants. Mr.. Singleton,
chairman Of the House library. committee,
In furtherance of the project, yesterday
submitted to the House the following
unanimous report, and which, II is safe to
say, insures the passage Of the Senate con-
current resolutions:
The committee on the library, to which was
referred the Serate concurrent resolution pro.
viding that "a Joint committee of five mem
bers OF the Senate and eight members of the
House of Representatives be appointed to take
into consideration the expedicncy OF holding,
in 1872, in coinmcmoration'of the discovery OF
America, an International exhibition of the
industries and products Of all nations, and II
such nn exhibition shall he deemed expe1ient,
TO consider the time, place. circumstances,
ana general plan thereof and to report by bill
or otherwise" have bad the same under con-
sideration, and unanimously recommend its
IassBge.
) There is widespread desire by the Amcri-
can people and foreign nations, particularly
spain. Italy, and the fifteen Spanish-A american
republics of the Three Americas, that the l00th
Columbus be duly celebrated. In illustration
of the interest abroad in this great event In
American history, we call attention to the fact
That more more than three years ago Alfonso MI,
don't. ,--...
be interested, and in which the leading nations
might unite"
Senior Don Emello Castelar,, the distinguished
statesman of Spain, said upon the same occa-
sion:
"Instead Of celebrating in any one placs
which would necessarily be local In cnaracger
] would have all the nations interested 81
combine as to make this anniversary the most
memorable and the greatest ever held in the
history of the world. In Genoa, as the city of
Columbus's birth, the initiative should be
taken. Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Eng
represented. Then let each of these nations
send q vessel or several vessels Of their own,
beautifully equipped, and with representatives
officially accredited TO the seaport OF Pdlos, in
Granada, where, upon the Sd OF August, should
occur, ailer suitable ceremonies. the departure
of this international fleet for the island Of San
Salvador. As all the nations mentioned have
contributed so much TO America in years and
centuries gone by, and are now so vitality in
terested in her present welfare, there would be
Sny or nes in bS VOYAGE Ssg shas would be
the Canary Islands, and, in further imitation
of the course pursued by Christopher Colum-
bus, should proceed on Its way to Sau salvador.
covery Of land would be, aud how many ways
TO commemorate 1t at once occur to mind! |
should be glad to see the fleet visit some OF the
points of historical and commercial interest in
the Western Hemisphere"
The American Historical Society, al its last
annual meeting at Washington in May last,
passed resolutions in favor of a due observance
of the coming event, and through committee
presented the same to the President OF the
United States.
These are but illustrations of the popular
demand, both at home aud abroad, for a cele-
bration in 1892, in honor OF Columbus and his
discovery of the new world. In our opinion,
pride as well as self interest in American his
tory and institutions demand that the United
Siates-the elder sister of sixteen American
republics-take the initiative In this grand
and patriotic work. We also urge the immedi-
ate passage of this resolution that there may be
ample time for preparations.
In conclusion we call attention to the fact
that the passage of this resolution contem
plates no expense whatever, but simply the
creation of a committee of the two houses oil
Congress to consider the subject.